THE TRUTH ABOUT MRT3

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Land Transporation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) confirmed on Monday (August 24) that "MRT Bus" operations will be regularized after a month of experimentation.

LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said that the insistent demand for the "MRT Bus" prompted the agency to regularize its operations.

"MRT Bus" started as an experiment last July 27 with the aim of lessening the suffering of MRT commuters.

Buses under the scheme, provide nonstop trips from MRT North Avenue and Quezon Avenue to Ortigas and Ayala stations.

Ginez said that from LTFRB's experience, the buses were always full every morning rush hour.

Some 20 to 25 buses are deployed every Monday morning, while 15 to 20 were used from Tuesday to Friday. But the LTFRB is pondering whether it needs to add more buses to keep up with the demand.

Ginez explained that the scheme will last until the first batch of MRT's new prototype coaches operates.